Hispanic Workshop: Protecting Yourself and Your Money

3/6/2009 9:16:27 AM

Contact: Elizabeth Watts

In response to a recent trend of bank robberies targeting Hispanic males in Clearwater, the Clearwater Police Department will participate in a workshop sponsored by the Hispanic Outreach Center. The workshop will include information on Hispanic Outreach programs, victim’s rights, setting up bank accounts and crime prevention and safety. It will be held March 12, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wood Valley Boys & Girls Club, 2816 Park Trail Lane.

View the workshop's flyer (in Spanish).

The Clearwater Police Hispanic Outreach Officer, Officer Sergio Fidelis, will address crime prevention and safety for Clearwater’s Hispanic Community. Topics of discussion include how people can protect his/herself and what to do if he/she becomes a victim.

Representatives from local banks will be present to provide information on how to open accounts, therefore reducing the need to carry large sums of cash on the person or in the home.

NOTE: The Clearwater Police Department urges any victim of any crime to report it to police regardless of his/her immigration status. A victim’s immigration status is not a factor during the course of an investigation.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, there were 55 reported robberies in which at least one victim was a Hispanic male. In 2009, there have been an additional four robberies fitting this pattern. In most cases two black male suspects armed with handgun(s) knocked their victims to the ground, kicked and/or punched them, or held a gun to their heads and took their wallets and money. In two cases, a victim was shot.

The Hispanic Outreach Center is a non-profit organization located in downtown Clearwater that has existed since 2000 that provides a variety of outreach and social services to Hispanic residents and crime victims.

THIS WORKSHOP WILL BE PRESENTED IN SPANISH.